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Sport Nation
Parker: "Freak" Walsh has a mortgage on Australia number one
Charles Goodsir • October 28th, 2025 1:54 pm
Reece Walsh has completed a remarkable month that saw him lead the Brisbane Broncos to a drought-breaking premiership, the 2025 Clive Churchill medal and a Kangaroos debut at Wembley Stadium against England.
The 23-year-old was unstoppable as he received player of the match honours in the opening Ashes Test after he scored two tries and ran for 243 metres.
Nathan Cleary described Walsh as a “freak” and admitted that he was thankful the Broncos fullback was finally playing alongside him.
SEN’s Corey Parker believes that Walsh is now a lock at fullback for Australia for the foreseeable future.
“I think we can all agree that Nathan Cleary has a mortgage on the seven jersey for Australia,” Parker said on SENQ Breakfast.
“Does Reece Walsh now have a mortgage on the number one jersey?
“23-years of age at the moment and he’s playing for Australia. He’s playing lights out football.
“He’s also valuing defence more. He’s the best player in the world right now.”
Walsh beat out incumbent fullback Dylan Edwards for the fullback position and veteran broadcaster Pat Welsh can’t envision a scenario in which Walsh surrenders his spot.
“I’ve got no doubt (that Walsh is a lock) for the number one jersey,” Welsh said on SENQ Breakfast.
“Edwards was the incumbent and James Tedesco was also in the conversation given the unbelievable season that he had this year.
“Yet, this kid (Walsh) is blowing them all the way.
“(Walsh is now excelling) on both sides of the ball which is something we have been calling out for.
“I have no doubt that if he stays healthy, he will be our number one for a long time.”
The Second Ashes Test will be held at Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool at 1:30am AEDST on Sunday.
Australia leads the three match series 1-0 and can retain the trophy with a win in the second Test.
